ROCKLAND COUNTY
MUTUAL AID PLAN

Revised 9/03

ROCKLAND COUNTY FIRE MUTUAL AID PLAN

2 – OBJECTIVE

A. Definition of Mutual Aid: (General Municipal Law Section 209, State of New York )

Mutual Aid is organized, supervised, coordinated, cooperative, reciprocal assistance in which personnel, equipment and physical facilities of all participating fire departments, regardless of type or size, are utilized for fire or other public emergency in which the services of fire fighters would be used throughout the County of Rockland and adjacent areas.

Amendments

Amendments to this plan may be made periodically and will follow this procedure:

          Suggestions should be submitted to the Fire Coordinator
          Prepared by the County Fire Coordinator
          Recommended by the County Fire Advisory Board
          Submitted by the County Fire Coordinator to the Legislature for approval after being approved by 26 fire departments and governing bodies
          Adopted by the Legislature of Rockland County
         Admitted into the State Fire Mobilization and Mutual Aid plan by the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control

Periodic Review:

Periodically this plan should be reviewed by the Fire Advisory Board and the Fire Coordinator for possible updating.

The updated version will be mailed to all Chiefs, Commissioners and appropriate Village Officials for their review and comment.

3 – PARTICIPATION

Extent and limit of participation by fire departments. All towns, villages and fire districts

in Rockland County may fully participate in this plan.

Participating Volunteer Departments and Brigades:

State Departments:
New York State Thruway

Industrial Departments:
51. Lederle Laboratories
52. Ciba-Geigy

Extent and Limit of Participation with counties of Bergen and Passaic , New Jersey :

There is no formal agreement with these counties. Local reciprocal assistance, if any, is in accordance with Section 209-a of the General Municipal Law. All requests for assistance must be routed through the Rockland County Fire Control Center.

Extent and limit of Participation with Adjacent Counties:

Mutual Aid is provided to and received from Orange , Westchester, and Putnam Counties through their respective County Fire Control Centers under the direction of their County Fire Coordinators or their legally appointed deputies.

Entering and Participating in the Plan

Any duly established fire company or fire department may participate in this plan by filing a copy of a resolution, adopted by the fire company or fire department with the Office of the County Fire Coordinator. Such resolution shall state that such Fire Company or fire department elects to participate in the Rockland County Fire Mutual Aid Plan and will comply with the provisions of such plan. The resolution shall state that the fire company or fire department shall recognize the call for assistance from another fire company or fire department through the Rockland County Fire Control Center.

There shall also be filed with the County Fire Coordinator a copy of a resolution adopted by the legislative body of each participating town and village, or by the Board of Fire Commissioners or other governing board having jurisdiction over the fire department, the Board of Fire Commissioners of each participating fire district, or the town board of each town in relation to participating fire companies serving the territories outside of town, villages and fire districts or in relation to a town fire department. Such resolution shall state that no restriction exists against "outside service" by the fire company or fire department of the municipality or district within the meaning of section 209 of the General Municipal Law which would affect the power of such fire company or fire department to participate in the Rockland County Fire Mutual Aid Plan.

Withdrawal from the Plan

Any fire company or fire department may elect to withdraw from this plan by adopting a resolution to such effect. Such withdrawal shall become effective 30 days after filing of such written notice with the Rockland County Fire Coordinator.

If the outside service activities of a participating fire company or fire department are restricted pursuant to Section 209 of the General Municipal Law, written notice of any restriction shall be given to the Rockland County Fire Coordinator. Any such restriction imposed by the legislative body of a village or town or by the Board of Fire Commissioners shall take effect in accordance with the resolution imposing the restriction.

Any fire company or fire department withdrawing from this plan, upon the effective date, shall surrender and return to the Rockland County Fire Coordinator, Rockland County Fire Training Center , Firemen’s Memorial Drive , Pomona , New York , all county-owned equipment. Such withdrawal shall remain in effect until reinstated by resolution as defined by Section 209 of the General Municipal Law.

Withdrawal from this plan will result in the suspension of mutual aid pursuant to this plan to the fire company or fire department taking such action. All radio identifiers and call signs issued to such fire company or fire department are canceled on the effective date of withdrawal.

CHART

5 – DUTIES OF PERSONNEL

Extent and Limit of Authority of County Officials :

44-1 County Fire Coordinator. As Chief Officer at the County level for the fire service:

·         Administers the State Fire Training Program, the State Graduate Fire Training Program, and any and all training programs developed by the State or by his office throughout the County.

·         Administers this County Fire Mutual Aid Plan and is responsible for the efficient operation of this plan for intra and inter-county purposes at fires or where the services of fire fighters are used.

·         Administers the Rockland County Fire Radio System under authorization of the Federal Communications Commission.

·         Administers the operation of the Rockland County Fire Control Center.

·         Acts as liaison officer between the fire service of Rockland County and the State Division of Fire Prevention and Control.

·         May appoint and remove Deputy County Fire Coordinators in accordance with Section 401 of the County Law , Section 3 of the Public Officers Law.

·         Orders the County Fire Control Center to dispatch mutual aid at the request of the Fire Chief or officer in charge.

·         Acts as advisor to the Fire Chief regarding kinds of mutual aid available to him.

44-2 Deputy County Fire Coordinator (Mutual Aid Operations). Directly responsible to the County Fire Coordinator. The normal area of assignment is determined by the County Fire Coordinator.

·         Represents the County Fire Coordinator at the fire or other incident requiring the service of fire fighters.

·         Orders the County Fire Control Center to dispatch mutual aid at the request of the Fire Chief or officer in charge.

·         Acts as advisor to the Fire Chief regarding kinds of mutual aid available to him.
Coordinates and administers the fire service emergency staging and response plan for Indian Point.

44-3 Deputy County Fire Coordinator (Mutual Aid Operations, Training Officer, and Safety Officer). Directly responsible to the County Fire Coordinator. The normal area of assignment is determined by the County Fire Coordinator.

·         Represents the County Fire Coordinator at the fire or other incidents requiring the service of fire fighters.

·         Orders the County Fire Control Center to dispatch mutual aid at the request of the Fire Chief or Officer in charge.

·         Acts as advisor to the Fire Chief regarding kinds of mutual aid available to him.

·         Supervises courses in the State Fire Training Program, the State Graduate Fire Training Program, and any and all training programs developed by the State or the County, with the Supervisor of Training and Chief Instructor.

·         Publicizes courses with staff at the Fire Training Center and encourages enrollment.

·         Supervises instruction by the County Fire Instructors.

·         Determines need for existing courses and new courses and makes recommendations to the County Fire Coordinator for consideration.

·         Maintains records indicating manpower in the county, including the type and extent of training in each department for County and State courses.

44-4 Deputy County Fire Coordinator (Hazardous Materials). Directly responsible to the County Fire Coordinator. Normal area of assignment is determined by the Fire Coordinator.

·         Represents the County Fire Coordinator at the fire or other incidents requiring the service of fire fighters.

·         Orders the County Fire Control Center to dispatch mutual aid at the request of the Fire Chief or officer in charge.

·         Acts as advisor to the Fire Chief regarding kinds of mutual aid available to him.

·         Acts as a liaison between the fire service and other agencies at a Hazardous Materials incident.

44-5 Deputy County Fire Coordinator (Mutual Aid Operations, Communications Officer).

Directly responsible to the County Fire Coordinator. The normal area of assignment is determined by the County Fire Coordinator.

·         Represents the County Fire Coordinator at the fire or other incidents requiring the service of fire fighters.

·         Orders the County Fire Control Center to dispatch mutual aid at the request of the Fire Chief or officer in charge.

·         Acts as advisor to the Fire Chief regarding kinds of mutual aid available to him.

·         Serves as Chairman of the Radio Committee.

·         Keeps abreast of current communication trends.

·         Suggests radio upgrades and procedures to the Fire Coordinator.

·         Liaison to Technical Rescue Team.

44-6 Deputy County Fire Coordinator (Mutual Aid Operations). Directly responsible to the County Fire Coordinator. The normal area of assignment is determined by the County Fire Coordinator.

·         Represents the County Fire Coordinator at the fire or other incident requiring the service of fire fighters.

·         Orders the County Fire Control Center to dispatch mutual aid at the request of the Fire Chief or officer in charge.

·         Acts as advisor to the Fire Chief regarding kinds of mutual aid available to him.

·         Coordinates the County Fire Prevention Program.

44-7 Deputy County Fire Coordinator (Administrative Officer). Directly responsible to the County Fire Coordinator. The normal area of assignment is determined by the Fire Coordinator.

·         Represents the County Fire Coordinator at the fire or other incidents requiring the service of fire fighters

·        
Orders the County Fire Control Center to dispatch mutual aid at the request of the Fire Chief or officer in charge.

·         Acts as advisor to the Fire Chief regarding kinds of mutual aid available to him.
Planning.

·         Maintains departments’ equipment inventory.

·         Administrative Assistant to the Fire Coordinator.

·         Chairs the Incident Command Committee. Responsible for monitoring and making changes to the Rockland County Incident Command System S.O.P.

44-8, 44-9 Deputy County Fire Coordinator (Administrative Officer). Directly responsible to the County Fire Coordinator. The normal area of assignment is determined by the Fire Coordinator.

·         Represents the County Fire Coordinator at the fire or other incidents requiring the service of fire fighters

·         Orders the County Fire Control Center to dispatch mutual aid at the request of the Fire Chief or officer in charge.

·         Acts as advisor to the Fire Chief regarding kinds of mutual aid available to him.
Planning.

·         Maintains departments’ equipment inventory.

·         Administrative Assistant to the Fire Coordinator.

44-10 County Radio Technician – Numerical designation only.

44-11 Chief, Communications – Sheriff’s Communications

44-18 Assistant Director – Office of Fire and Emergency Services/Hazmat

7 – STATUS OF THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS

Maintenance of Individuality:

Each fire department participating in this plan shall retain its internal command and individuality.

Authority of "Requesting" Fire Chief or Officer in Charge:

A "requesting" Fire Chief or incident commander in charge is one who requests mutual aid for his department in accordance with this plan.

The line of "Command" at a fire or other emergency, in which the services of fire fighters would be used for fire fighters and officers entering the area under mutual aid, remains with the fire company or fire department requesting the mutual aid.

The fire officer in command will work with Chiefs, senior officers and company officers of departments providing mutual aid. The fire fighters in the assisting department will be supervised by their own officers, who are, in turn, commanded by officers of the department requesting mutual aid.

8- RADIO

Location of the County Fire Control Center:
Rockland County Fire Training Center
Firemen’s Memorial Drive
Pomona , New York 10970
Telephone:
Business Phone: (845) 364-8500/8600
"911" Fire Calls Only: (845) 354-9000
Operated By:
Sheriff’s Communications
Rockland County Sheriff’s Department
Supervision and Repair of Communications Equipment:
Director of Emergency Services

(Resolution #599, August 5, 1974)
Radio Frequencies: 46.18, 46.08, 46.48, 46.32***, 46.36***, 46.12*, 46.30*, 45.88**
*Max 7 Watt Power
**Rockland County Government Use Only
*** Mobil 100 Watt Channels
Power Output: 320 watts
FCC Call Sign: KEE 398
New York State Fire Mutual Aid Identifier: 44-Control

Volunteer Departments:

State Departments:
Letchworth Village
New York State Thruway

Industrial Departments:
Lederle Laboratories
Ciba Geigy

     Radio Signals
10 Fire (Clear the Air)
11 Situation Under Control*
12 Working Fire
13 Refreshments
14 Return or Returning to Quarters
15 Assignment Complete
16 Drill
17 False Alarm
18 Hazard Material Involved
19 Arson Investigator
20 Emergency other than fire

"Red Alert – Emergency Evacuation" (Sound Air Horns)

"MAYDAY, MAYDAY"
(Only if fire fighter seriously injured or needs to be rescued)

"ALL CLEAR"
(Transmitted to Incident Commander by Sector Commander to ensure all sectors are cleared)

*Returns Radio to Normal Use

·  Communications with all other County Fire Control Centers in the State of New York is on Frequency 45.88.

·  The radio log used in Communications Center will meet FCC standards.

·  All Rockland County Fire Departments, duly licensed by the FCC, may use the seven (7) channels allotted to the Rockland County Fire Service in this plan. The six (6) UHF portable radio channels are licensed by Rockland County .

1. 46.18 Main Channel Voice and Signaling (F1)
2. 46.08 Channel 2 Voice, Fire Ground Channel and No Signaling.
3. 46.48 Channel 3 voice, fireground channel and no signaling. Advise 44-Control when using Channel 2 (F2) or Channel 3 (F3)
4. 46.32 100 watt mobil fireground channel (F4)
5. 46.36 100 watt mobil fireground channel (F5)
6. 46.30 6-watt portable fireground channel (F6)
7. 46.12 6-watt portable Fire Police channel (F7)
8. 45.88 New York State Inter-County Frequency (f8) For County Government Use Only

UHF Radio Frequencies

Departments wishing to buy UHF portables and mobile repeaters
By license, the portable radios output must be limited to 2 watts and have a time-out timer set for 60 seconds.
Channel Assignment

Position 1 on the portable should activate the mobile repeater. Only the Chief, Commander should have the authority to activate the mobile repeater, except in a "Mayday" situation. Channels 2-6 will be used as fireground channels.

Provisions for Emergency Backup

The car radios of the Fire Coordinator, his deputies and the command unit will act as an alternate 44-Control.
Police Agencies with Fire Radios:

Time:

All time use on the radio system will be in military time.

Authority 44-Control Operators:

The 44-Control operators will have complete control of the three 325 watt frequencies in conjunction with the Fire Coordinator and his seven deputies as outlined by standard operating procedures.

Verification:

·         The "Home Alert" tone transmitted from the fire department base station will be used as a verification signal.

·         All alarm systems should be so designed where at least one (1) second pause exists after the 44-Control tone is completed and no longer than two (2) seconds before the "Home Alert" tone is started.

Time Out Timers: (Mandatory All Radios)

Time out timers are absolutely necessary to prevent tying up the air when an open mic condition occurs. (See radio procedural manual for explanation.)

The CTCSS (Private Line Tone) is 131.8. (See Radio Procedure Manual for explanation.)

Mutual Aid Drills:

Drills calling for more than two (2) departments. 44-Control should be advised of pending drills in advance.

Control Points: Fire Training Center , atop core building,
Orangetown – atop int. Nebo, Western Ramapo – site of old water tank in Sloatsburg.
Fire Alarm Transmission:

Extended delay in answering alarm to 44-Control:

44-Control will summon another department after waiting 4 minutes. Example: Call department 55 for mutual aid if the alarm for department 41 is not answered in four (4) minutes.

Monday night testing of Quick Call Tones 1900 hours:
All departments in Rockland County .
Monthly testing of "Home Alert" Tones from 44-Control 2000 hours first Wednesday of the month.

9 – STANDARD THREAD

Apparatus to adapt to the NS thread or storz couplings:

All apparatus participating in this plan shall be equipped to adapt to standard threads or storz couplings as defined by the National Bureau of Standards.

10 – PARTICIPATION IN THE STATE FIRE MOBILIZATION AND MUTUAL AID PLAN

Procedure to Obtain Activation of Plan:

County Fire Coordinator or a Deputy in the line of authority designated pursuant or Section 4-1 of the County Law , after utilizing all available assistance from Orange , Westchester and Putnam Counties , may call the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control to obtain activation of the State Fire Mobilization and Mutual Aid Plan. The procedure shall conform with that specified by the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control.

Authority by Responsibility of the Regional Fire Administrator:

The authority and responsibility of the Regional Fire Administrator under the activated State Fire Mobilization and Mutual Aid Plan is established by the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control.

Retirement Provision Relating to the Position of Regional Fire Administrator:

Should the County Fire Coordinator be separated from his office for any reason, he is automatically retired as Administrator if he also holds the position of Regional Fire Administrator. The Director of the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control is authorized by law to make this appointment.
The County Fire Coordinator shall utilize county number 44 assigned to Rockland County by the State Fire mobilization and Mutual Aid Plan.

11 – COORDINATION WITH OTHER EMERGENCY SERVICES

Extent and Limit of Inter-Service Coordination:

Sheriff:

The County Fire Control Center shall be located physically in the same room with the Sheriff’s radio control dispatching desk: KEE-398, 46.18 MHZ, 46.48 MHZ and 45.88.

Other Services:

Informal agreements exist and telephone numbers are listed at the County Fire Control Center.

12 – TRAINING

Type and Extent of Training:

The State Fire Training Program consisting of Essentials of Firemanship and the State Graduate Fire Training Program adopted as a standard throughout the County of Rockland . The Rockland County Fire Training Center , through the office of the Fire Coordinator, also offers approximately 150 County courses, a winter training program, and train the trainer programs.

13 – HELICOPTER SERVICE (HELP)

The Helicopter Emergency Lift Program (H.E.L.P.) has a Bell Jet Ranger II four-passenger helicopter manned by volunteer pilots, housed at the Rockland County Fire Training Center . The helicopter is available on a 24-hour basis. If the Chief Officer in charge of the fire scene determines that the helicopter is required, he should notify 44-Control and make the request.

14 – INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM

All fire departments are strongly encouraged to utilize an incident management system. It is agreed that any department instituting such a system will utilize the current Rockland County Incident Command System as issued by the County Fire Coordinator, or one based upon the concepts in the county system. It is imperative that any system used by standardized so that all departments can work together at mutual aid emergencies, using a basically similar system.

15-ROCKLAND COUNTY RIVER RESCUE & DIVE TEAMS

There are several departments in Rockland County that provide Hudson River rescue operations, as well as dive team operations. These departments have developed the Rockland County Water Rescue & Dive Team Standard Operation Guidelines. These suggested guidelines detail radio communications, Hudson River rescue operations, dive team operations for salt and fresh water, inventories of available equipment by department, maps of the Hudson River , U.S. Coast Guard guidelines, Incident Command for River operations, etc. The S.O.P. for river operations is reviewed periodically by the departments that operate on the Hudson River and/or have Dive Teams; and revisions are made accordingly. All departments that operate on the Hudson River and have Dive Teams are strongly encouraged to utilize the Rockland County Water Rescue & Dive Team Standard operating Guidelines.

16-HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESPONSE TEAM

The Rockland County Hazardous Material Response Team is an all volunteer force, sponsored by the County of Rockland , and is comprised of fire fighters, EMS , Police, fire police and private industry. It is independently fully equipped and trained to handle any and all incidents involving hazardous materials. The Hazmat Team is available on a 24-hour basis. If he Incident Commander of an incident determines that the Haz-Mat Team is required, he or she should notify 44-Control to activate said team.

17- FIRE POLICE RESPONSE TEAM

The Rockland County Fire Police Response Team is an all volunteer force. The Fire Police Response Team is available to augment support to local fire and police authorities during a major incident or disaster. The authority to provide this service is sanctioned under NY State General Municipal Law 209-c. The Fire Police Response Team is available on a 24-hour basis. If the Incident Commander of an incident determines that the Fire Police Response Team is required, he or she should notify 44-Control to activate said team.

18 – TECHNICAL RESCUE TEAM

The Rockland Regional Technical Rescue Team is an all volunteer force comprised of fire fighters and is sponsored by several fire districts in Rockland County . The team is NY State certified and fully equipped and trained to handle the following incidents: high and low angle rescues, ice rescues, trench collapse, confined space and structural building collapse. The Rockland Regional Technical Rescue Team is available on a 24-hour basis. If the Incident Commander of an incident determines that the Rockland Regional Technical Rescue Team is required, he or she should notify 44-Control to activate said team.

19-ROCKLAND COUNTY FIRE COORDINATOR

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
ROCKLAND RIVER RESCUE DEPARTMENTS OPERATING ON THE HUDSON RIVER

Communication
Marine Radio Channel 17 (primary) or 16 or 22
Rockland County Fire Frequency 2
46.30 Boat to Boat
46.08 Boat to shore or Incident Commander or Command Post
All Rockland County Departments to use County-wide Incident Command System
Pre-designated Incident Command Posts can be set up at the following locations for Hudson River operations:

Dept. 18 – Grassy Point Park, Minisceongo Yacht Club
Dept. 26 – Bowline Park, Haverstraw Marina
Dept. 4 – Emeline Park
Dept. 10 – Nyack memorial Park, Salbury Manor or Nyack Park
Dept. 13 – Piermont Pier

All above are suggested locations – can be moved by Chief or Incident Commander or other locations chosen.

The PIP boats will make arrests and can assist you. Boats are in service Tuesday through Sunday, plus holidays (subject to change).

Due to the movement of tides and the fact that we frequently have no clear dividing lines between various Rockland County Fire Districts and no delineation between Westchester County , it is frequently difficult to determine whose jurisdiction a given incident is actually in. WHO IS IN COMMAND IN SITUATIONS LIKE THIS? For all incidents, the senior fire official for the fire department receiving the alarm will be the Incident Commander, once he arrives at the scene and makes the initial size-up. He will remain in command as long as the incident is in his district or reasonably close. In many cases, the initial emergency caller is very vague, and the actual emergency is occasionally quite a distance from what was reported. In situations such as this, the department officer on the scene should assume command and then notify 44-Control to dispatch the proper department after which a command post should or can be operated jointly, or after a briefing with a transfer of command to the proper fire department or other agency.

For incidents involving extremely large areas, it may be necessary to split the incident, establishing two separate command posts that would work together on the incident. For example, two large vessels collide with numerous victims in the water, with one ship in Westchester and one in Rockland . One command post would be established on each shore, with a coordination of all emergency efforts between the two command posts. For police-type emergencies, the Police Chief will be the overall Incident Commander, with the Fire Chief and Chief Diver reporting to the command post with other officials working under a unified incident command.

The Rockland County Chopper will stay on the Rockland County Fire Radio Channel until released by the Incident Commander.

The Department Chief (Incident Commander) calling for boats or dive teams should try to get locations and mark spot (landmark, trees, etc.)

Procedure for calling dive teams, boats, and helicopters: Notify 44-Control; they have access to dive team responses, New York Police/New York City Department Aviation Unit, Stat-Flight and New York State Thruway tugboat.

The Coast Guard and Auxiliary Coast Guard have boats and choppers available but take a long time to arrive. Notify early if you might require.

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
ROCKLAND COUNTY DIVE TEAMS

When there is a call involving a life-threatening situation, two departments will be dispatched; on the next page is a listing of automatic dive team responses. If a dive team is out of service, they must contact 44-C and set AMA.

All diving operations will be done on Rockland County Fire Channel 2; and if a river incident, marine frequency 17 (primary) or 16 or 22. The Command Van is now equipped with a marine radio and should be called to the scene early on, for large-scale emergencies.

On river searches, the term RIVER COMMAND should be used by the Incident Commander.

For all life-threatening incidents, STAT FLIGHT should be put on standby by the Incident Commander.

If helicopters are part of the operation while dive operations are in progress, they should stay a distance from the scene until requested.

Any department wishing to start a dive team should have the same training and the same instructors as the existing dive teams. Also, the equipment they use should be compatible so all teams can work and train together.

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